Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. The nationalists were holding the... (Steve Helber)

(Newser)
–
US officials have opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack that took place amid clashes of white nationalists and counter-demonstrators, reports the AP. The investigation was announced late Saturday by the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia and the FBI's Richmond field office. Attorney General Jeff Sessions says US Attorney Rick Mountcastle has begun the investigation and will have the full support of the Justice Department. Sessions says, "The violence and deaths in Charlottesville strike at the heart of American law and justice. When such actions arise from racial bigotry and hatred, they betray our core values and cannot be tolerated." In other developments:

The man who allegedly plowed his car into a crowd of protesters, James Alex Fields Jr., a 20-year-old from Ohio, was charged with second-degree murder and three counts of malicious wounding, reports NBC 29.

Troy Dunigan, a 21-year-old from Chattanooga, Tenn., was charged with disorderly conduct; Jacob L. Smith, a 21-year-old from Louisa, Va., was charged with assault and battery; and James M. O'Brien, 44, of Gainesville, Fla., was charged with carrying a concealed handgun.

White nationalist Richard Spencer accused police of endangering lives in how they handled the rally, saying he "did not attempt to engage in any kind of violence. So the idea that I could be held responsible is absurd. It's like blaming the fire department for a fire." Spencer also said he found President Trump's comments on the violence to be "rather vague and kind of lame."

Fields' mother says he told her he was going to the rally and that she told him "to be careful" and peaceful.

Rally organizer Jason Kessler said whoever drove a car into counter-protesters "did the wrong thing." He said he was saddened people were hurt and criticized law enforcement's response, saying they did a poor job controlling the chaos to allow free speech.

These Chicken Sh!t White Nationalists could have made their case VEBALLY, but the second they escalated it and starting using weapons to make their point they became First class POS’s. Same goes for the coward that drove his car into the crowd. These were the exact DEPLOREABLES that were called out in the election.

Crabbyoldlady

Aug 13, 2017 12:30 PM CDT

*Virginia Terrorist Attack * There, fixed it for you, Newser.

LasVegasRocks

Aug 13, 2017 10:18 AM CDT

Trump needs to look inside himself and his "I hate most Americans" campaign and administration before blaming others. Trump created this atmosphere, and don't go all "but, but, but Obama" 7 months into the Trump administration. My parents taught me that when I point a finger at others, the rest of my fingers are pointed at me. Trump could certainly learn common sense from my parents, may they rest in peace.